Prepress Operator

About Us

Hoffmaster Group Inc is an industry leader producing the most complete line of specialty disposable tabletop products for over 70 years. Hoffmaster competes in three distinct business segments – Foodservice, Consumer, and E-Commerce. Our products can be found in thousands of retailers, restaurants, hotels, and more. As a customer centric company, we strive to deliver innovative solutions to both our customers and the ultimate end users of our products. This Innovation is a key part of what we do here at Hoffmaster, and we continue to drive the industry forward by investing in our employees and state-of-the-art technology.

Primary Purpose Of The Role

The Pre-Press Operator / Plate Maker is responsible for preparing, processing, and producing printing plates and press-ready files that meet all quality, technical, and production requirements. This role serves as a critical link between artwork, pre-press preparation, and press operations, ensuring accurate plate output, minimal press downtime, and consistent print quality in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Essential Job Duties

• Review job tickets, artwork files, and specifications to determine plate and press requirements.
• Perform preflight checks on digital files to ensure accuracy of layout, color mode, resolution, fonts, trapping, and bleeds.
• Prepare and modify files for plate output, including imposition, screening, and color separations.
• Ensure all files meet internal quality standards and press specifications prior to plate production.
• Maintain proper file naming, version control, and documentation.
• Operate computer-to-plate (CTP) or plate-making equipment to produce printing plates in accordance with job specifications.
• Set up, expose, develop, and finish plates for printing process
• Verify plate accuracy including registration, dot structure, image clarity, and plate integrity.
• Label, stage, and deliver completed plates to press operations in accordance with production schedules.
• Inspect plates and proofs to identify defects or inconsistencies prior to press release.
• Troubleshoot pre-press and plate-making issues, including file errors, plate defects, or output inconsistencies.
• Communicate proactively with designers, press operators, supervisors, and quality teams to resolve issues quickly.
• Support continuous improvement efforts to reduce plate waste, rework, and press downtime.
• Support press operators during press make-ready by providing technical guidance related to plates and files.
• Assist with press trials, new material qualifications, and process improvements as needed.
• Maintain accurate production records, logs, and quality documentation.
• Follow all safety, food safety, GMP, and quality system requirements.
• Maintain clean and organized pre-press and plate-making areas.
• Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of plate-making equipment.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• All other duties as assigned.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE

Required Skills/Abilities

• Experience in a printing or converting manufacturing environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of pre-press workflows and plate-making processes.
• Proficiency with pre-press software and systems (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, RIP software).
• Understanding of color theory, screening, trapping, and file preparation for print.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify and correct errors before production.
• Ability to read and interpret job tickets, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work cross-funtional with production and quality teams.
  
  

Education

Min/Preferred

Education Level

Description

Preferred

High School or GED

Other

Technical Training in printing, graphic arts or pre-pres

Years Of Experience

Minimum Years of Experience

Comments

1

Physical Requirements

Standard Shift Length

Ability to Lift/Push/Pull

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Other Physical Requirements

8 hours depending on workload

Up to 50 lbs.

PPE is required, which includes safety shoes, eye protection and hearing protection

Significant walking and standing; Incidental Climbing

SCHEDULE

2nd Shift: Monday - Friday (3:30 PM - 12:00AM)

3rd Shift: Monday - Friday (11:45 PM - 7:00AM)

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At Hoffmaster, we believe every person deserves to feel successful. That’s why we provide a total rewards package designed to support our employee’s success –at work, at home, and in life. This includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurances, Physical and Mental wellness programs, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Employee Assistance Program, and more. Learn more about our Benefits at HoffmasterBenefits.com

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement: To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.